Hope Solo's memoir, released days after she helped the USA win gold at the 2012 London Games, debuted at No. 3 on the New York Times bestseller list. The goalkeeper's propensity for controversy and the promise of revealing details from her battles with coaches, teammates (and even a dance partner) undoubtedly boosted sales. The book also provides a glimpse into the youth soccer days of the world's best female goalkeeper.

Coaches must adjust their approach to the individual. Some keepers might need the soft touch to get in the right frame of mind. Others might require a rousing pep talk. Some keepers might fall apart if they are given a direct, honest critique without plenty of compliments to go with it. Others are fine with a harsh, straightforward assessment. So how does the coach know what's best for each individual?

Cony Konstin is the Director of Coaching of Westside Metros SC, a small club based in Beaverton, Ore., that has gotten national attention with the success of its U-19 Internationals boys team and has sent players to the U-15 national team pool. Previously, Konstin served as the Director of Houstonians FC, which became a model for inner-city youth soccer.

Goalkeepers react in various ways after they get scored on. Some keepers whack the ball in anger. Some fall to their knees, head in hands. Some scream at their teammates. And some hang forlornly on the net. Whether the keepers realize it or not, these immediate, emotional responses are more than personal reactions. These actions speak loudly to the keepers' own teammates and to their opponents.

"Unfortunately, our children are granted far less adult-free playtime than previous generations, and the pickup game has become a rarity. Soccer, because it is a safe, simple game, can serve as a substitute for the free play that today's children are being denied -- if adults learn to keep their mouths shut." ... From an interview on parent behavior at youth games I did with momlogic.com.

Soccer America columnist Paul Gardner comments on the ever-increasing involvement of British clubs in American youth soccer: "There is something distinctly offensive about this attempt to palm off on U.S. coaching systems and 'methodology' that have failed to measure up in England."

Concussion is a controversial and tricky medical topic, but any coach or parent who works with soccer players needs to know what to do if you are faced with a situation in which you suspect a player has had a concussion.

Soccer America Magazine has launched a new e-letter, The Youth Soccer Reporter, covering competitive youth soccer each week. The YSR provides news and analysis and includes features on rising stars, profiles of top clubs and interviews with key figures on the American youth scene

Since when did the postgame (or, in some cases, pregame and halftime, too) snack become the focal point of youth recreational soccer games? And when did it become the latest installment of "Keeping up with the Joneses"?

You're organized. You're a good communicator. You've run your school auction and served on a plethora of committees. Which is why your child's new coach has asked you to be the team's manager for the upcoming fall soccer season. "What do I need to do?" you ask.

"Kids aren't getting the proper training. Clubs have their priorities wrong. The emphasis has been on: Where can we find the biggest, fastest, strongest (kids), in their minds, for whatever it takes to win, so my club gets recognition and our kids get (college) scholarships?" says Dave Sarachan, the Director of Scouting for the U.S. Soccer Federation's Developmental Academy.

The Traverse City Wings, a Michigan U-11 boys team, have turned juggling into a fund-raiser for new indoor arena flooring. The goal is to hit 1 million juggles in 65 days. "Juggling gives us better touches so in game situations you can stop the ball instead of it going all over the place," said Cameron Sipple, 11. "It makes us want to work out more." Read the Grand Traverse Herald article HERE.

Clearly, coaching your son or daughter isn't easy. If you are able to find an appropriate balance between encouragement and pressure, however, it can be a wonderfully rewarding experience.

Tony DiCicco, who coached the U.S. women to the 1999 Women's World Cup title, has also coached his own children at the youth level. He addressed the challenges and provided advice in Soccer America's Youth Insider.

Of the starters during the first weekend of this season's English Premier League, only 37 percent were English, compared to 76 percent in 1992. That figure, and other stats -- nearly 70 percent of EPL goals this season have been scored by non-English players -- have renewed criticism of the nation's academy system, which Manchester United coach Alex Ferguson says is "falling apart."

And The Times of London quotes former English Premier League stars Patrick Vieira and Ruud Gullit on the topic.

"There are not so many good young English players at many of the clubs and I really believe that the academies are not good enough for the young players between 12 and 15," says Frenchman Vieira, the former Arsenal captain.

The Dutchman Gullit, who played for and coached Chelsea, says: "Not many English youngsters are coming through. They spend fortunes on academies, but the bigger clubs don't use them because they can buy any star they want."